WASHINGTON -- The first test of coach Lawrence Frank's roster dilemma -- and his authority -- was made before the first game was even played last night, when he omitted Sean Williams from his rotation.

Indeed, it wasn't a tough choice to make: Williams was outplayed by virtually every other big man in the preseason, so Frank's two centers had to be Josh Boone and Brook Lopez.

But when you tell your boss that the odd guy out is his former first-round pick -- a player that the team has invested a lot of time in developing -- sometimes it requires some consultation.

"He didn't have to consult me," team president Rod Thorn said of Frank. "I would agree with it, though."

Williams was in his usual buoyant mood yesterday, but where his career goes from here is an open question.

"Hopefully, he's upset by it," Thorn said. "And hopefully he'll work even harder. Not everyone deserves to be in the rotation. Right now, other guys have played better, so they're ahead of him. But it doesn't mean it stays that way."

Said Frank, "I've been very clear to define the role whether you're in the rotation or not. What that means is, if a guy is in it, you have to perform well to stay in. If a guy isn't in it, the only way to get in the rotation is to work your tail off in practice and do extra work.

"And as we know, in an 82-game season -- through injury and play -- everyone gets a shot. The key is when you get that shot are you ready to perform."

The Nets open the season with the eighth youngest roster in the NBA, with their 15 players averaging 25.8 years of age, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

That's not very far from the other Romper Room outfits around the league: Golden State is the youngest at 24.2, followed by Portland (24.4), Memphis (24.8), Charlotte (25.1), Oklahoma City (25.2), Chicago (25.4) and Atlanta (25.4).

The Nets, however, might have the youngest functional rotation in this group, as they could have as many as six players age 23 and under who will be playing regularly.

Vince Carter was named captain Wednesday, but Frank said the actual job will be done by committee because "everyone has to take responsibility."

Carter agreed: "It's an honor," he said, "but we have a lot of veterans who are vocal, and that's what we need. Yes, I'm the captain, but we as players have talked about doing it together. Guys on the bench, if you see something, step up. If a guy's not doing his job, say something. Constructive criticism is good for a team, especially a team like this who accepts it."

Trenton Hassell stayed home to nurse an ear infection, and Stromile Swift was also a scratch because of his bruised back. Eduardo Najera, who hasn't practiced since Oct. 8 in Paris, wasn't surprised to be the third guy on the inactive list, but he's been asking to practice for nearly a week, only to be held back by trainer Tim Walsh.

"Obviously I'm not the smartest guy in the world, so I try to play injured," said the veteran forward, still recovering from a torn tendon in his left wrist. "That's the way I'm programmed to do. Obviously we have the best trainer in the league -- he's the one who's telling me to be smart, which is good." 